*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.

This listing is for a Soma-ware toothpick holder made around 20 years ago by Seijiuemon Tashiro XV.  The front is decorated with a hashirigoma galloping horse motif, and the rim features Aohibi crackled glaze.  The potter stamps on the bottom of the toothpick holder in this listing have been registered as official stamps for the Seijiuemon family of potters since 1907. 

Seijiuemon Tashiro XV is the fifteen generation descendant of the founder of Soma-ware.  During the Edo Period a samurai and potter named Seijiuemon Tashiro I (born Minamoto Goemon, birth date unknown, died 1658) was sent to Kyoto by feudal lord Soma Toshitane (1581-1625).  He studied pottery under Nonomura Ninsei and was given the potter name ‘Sei’, thus becoming ‘Seijiuemon’.  Upon his return to Fukushima he opened a kiln at Soma Nakamura Castle and produced wares for the Soma clan.  This marked the beginning of Soma-ware, and fifteen generations later Seijiuemon Tashiro XV continues to produce wares using the same techniques.  The original kiln still exists and was designated as Important Tangible Cultural Property of Fukushima Prefecture.   It is said that Soma-ware’s galloping horse motif began with the second generation Seijiuemon.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.

Soma-ware refers to pottery produced in Fukushima Prefecture. The first Soma-ware was produced during the Edo period and it quickly grew into over 100 kilns. It is characterized by its galloping horse motif which is known as Hashirigoma in Japanese. Fukushima is known for its long history of using horses for martial arts training, and one of their biggest festivals pays homage to the humble horse. Another feature of Soma-ware is its double wall. Each piece has an inner wall which can be seen through carved areas on the exterior wall. The enables tea to keep warm whilst leaving the outer surface cool enough for handling. The final feature of Soma-ware is its Aohibi crackled glaze. It is often combined with a brown glazed part which provides an interesting contrast.

Size

H.4.7cm (1.8”) x Dia.4.3cm (1.6”)

Condition

It’s in very good condition with no chips or cracks, just some slight scuffing here and there.

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.